FLANKING ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1943, Page 3

FLANKING ATTACK

MADE BY NEW ZEALANDERS & OTHER TROOPS Under Command of General Freyberg GREAT PART BEING PLAYED BY AIR FORCE MR CHURCHILL'S ANNOUNCEMENT IN COMMONS * • 1 LONDON, March 30. THE BRITISH EIGHTH ARMY, AFTER ITS CAPTURE OF GABES, 20 MILES NORTH OF MARETH, IS DRIVING ON TOWARDS SFAX, 70 MILES AWAY. SO FAR 8000 PRISONERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BESIDES A GREAT QUANTITY OF BOOTY. It was the New Zealanders, with other troops,, under the command of General Freyberg, who smashed through on the enemy’s flank and captured Gabes. In addition to the New Zealand Division, this force included the famous 51st Highlanders and Indian troops. The Germans fought a heavy rearguard and delaying action, doing all they could to check the British onrush and to cover the withdrawal of their troops. The air above the battlefield is alive with British planes, which are pounding the retreating enemy troops and transport. ; Mr. Churchill gave the news of General Montgomery S victory to the House of Commons. He declared that the break through resulted from the operations of the turning force on the flank, assisted by intense air action, m which many hundreds of British aircraft took part. This new exploit of the Desert Army had to be viewed, the British Prime Minister said, in relation to the general scheme of action on the whole Tunisian front. The advance of the Americans, the increasing’ activity by French units and the operations of the British First Army had all played a part. Mr. Churchill gave a warning that the task still before the whole group of the Allied armies in Tunisia should not be underestimated. The Americans continue their pressure near El Guetar and French troops have made a six-mile advance. The British First Army is keeping up its advance in the north and in the last tew days has taken 700 prisoners. Air activity is particularly 1 heavy in the centre and in the north, where there is better flying weather.